What is the urethra?

The urethra is a tube-like structure that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body. It is located in the centre of the penis in males and joins with the reproductive system in females. In both sexes, the urethra connects to the bladder at the internal urethral orifice and terminates at the external urethral orifice, where urine exits the body. The length and course of the urethra differ between males and females:

1. Male Urethra:

- In males, the urethra is significantly longer, measuring about 15 to 20 centimetres.

- It passes through the prostate gland, where it joins with the male reproductive system to allow both urine and semen to pass through during urination and ejaculation, respectively.

- The male urethra also has three sections: the prostatic urethra, the membranous urethra, and the penile urethra.

2. Female Urethra:

- The female urethra is much shorter, typically around 3 to 5 centimetres in length.

- It does not pass through any reproductive organs but is surrounded by tissues of the vagina and the clitoris.

Both the male and female urethra serve as the final pathway for urine to exit the body and are crucial for the urinary system's proper function.